Wedge Expander

thingiverse

An expansion wedge for securing a bolt within a tube, drawing inspiration from the quill stem of a bicycle, has been designed to meet specific needs. This model can be customized to match exact dimensions required. Printing at high density (or solid) is recommended as this piece will be pressed between two metal nuts. Default values are tailored to fit a 3/8" bolt and nut inside 3/4" EMT conduit. By installing an eye bolt on each end of a length of conduit, you can create a sliding curtain rod. In fact, the entire rod can slide in and out effortlessly, not just the curtain. Two conduit rails have been installed beneath my garage's ceiling, with two gliding rods suspended between them and a plastic drop cloth secured using shower curtain rings. This setup provides an entirely enclosed dust curtain that can be easily slid back and forth. Be cautious when installing items above your head, as this system cannot support loads greater than a few pounds. A utility lamp or other lightweight item might be hung from these rods, but children must not climb on them or let objects dangle. Countless uses for these are being explored beyond the applications I have described. Share how you plan to utilize them! Notes about this design: The surfaces meant to slide against each other, which adhere to the build plate, allow this piece to benefit from minimized friction between its components. This model also incorporates features that facilitate smooth interfacing and easy assembly. A slightly flared center hole has been designed to accommodate the wedging part during construction. It might appear oval-shaped but is desired for its wobbly texture, which enables the necessary angular deflection. Units are presented in diameter (not radius) within Customizer since measurements are typically recorded using a caliper when measuring application dimensions. Incredible that such an expansion wedge didn't exist previously.